To start the analysis, I have to say that I am a die-hard music lover and everything that surrounds it. Or, more specifically, everything that makes it sound. Since I can remember, I have spent money on MP3 players, headphones, sound systems, and all kinds of music players.
That’s why, every time an audio equipment arrives at my house to analyze it, the inner child in me gets excited while the adult says: hey, it’s time to be professionals and show all the years of experience we have about “ears”.
The Sonos brand has been dominating the wireless audio market for several years now, and they have achieved this with a lot of research, good engineers, and high-quality products. Over the years, I have been able to analyze the Sonos Beam, the Sonos One, and the Sonos Arc, and they have always been quality products that border on excellence. That’s why the Sonos Ace is such a big milestone in their history.
And the thing is, for those who don’t know, they are the first headphones that the brand launches in its entire history and a product that we have been asking for for years. Now the Sonos Ace are real and we have them in our possession thanks to Sonos themselves, who have sent us some so that we can analyze them in the magazine.
Love at first sight
Headphones make a great first impression. The Ace headphones come in a felt case made from recycled plastics. I always worry about the space non-foldable headphones take up in my bag, but the Ace case is very flat, making it easy to carry.
Inside there is a bag that attaches magnetically to the case: this is where the USB-C and USB-C to 3.5mm cables included are stored. (Wired listening is possible with either of the two cables).
The Ace headphones seem like a mix of the 1000XM5 and the Apple AirPods Max. They are discreet yet elegant. The Sonos logo embossed on the right earcup doesn’t draw much attention and is easy to overlook if you don’t pay close attention.
The stainless steel sliding arms allow for precise adjustment. And the magnetic memory foam pads can be easily removed if they need to be changed. I’m curious to see how the leather headband will hold up over time, but in most aspects, the Ace headphones are fantastically crafted, balancing sophistication and subtlety.
Extremely comfortable headphones: perfect for endless airplane and train sessions
They are the most comfortable I have tried in a long time. The headphones weigh 310 grams, which doesn’t match the lightweight feel of Bose’s QuietComfort headphones, but they are noticeably lighter than the AirPods Max.
Even if you wear prescription glasses or sunglasses, the foam pad fits perfectly on the temples so as not to bother or squeeze you too much. The only downside is that they are not water resistant, so no sports or heavy rain with them.
The headphones have physical controls. On the right headphone is the Content Key button, which can be slid up or down to adjust the volume. It is pressed once to play/pause, twice to skip to the next track, or three times to go back. If you hold down the content key, TV Audio Swap is activated (sending the TV audio to your headphones).
Below the slider there is a round button that toggles between active noise cancellation and “aware” transparency mode. On the left earcup is the USB-C port along with a power/Bluetooth pairing button. The Ace supports multipoint Bluetooth, so they can be paired with two devices at the same time. They also have head detection and automatically pause your music if you take them off.
By the way, the battery lasts an incredible 30 hours. I don’t think I’ve had to charge them all month and I’ve used them a lot.
Wireless HiFi Audio only on some Android devices
To listen to music daily, these headphones do not incorporate any innovative WiFi function; everything is transmitted via Bluetooth. iPhone owners have the standard AAC codec, while some Android phones can take advantage of Qualcomm’s AptX Adaptive to wirelessly stream music with lossless quality. In my case with the Google Pixel 8, I have been able to enjoy this lossless wireless audio.
As mentioned in The Verge, it would have been great if Sony’s more universal LDAC Bluetooth codec had been included for those who truly care. It’s easy to get obsessed with these things, but ultimately, the most important thing is the fit of the headphones.
And the best thing about Sonos Ace is its sound: amazing for being the first ones
As for the sound of the first Sonos headphones, the response is quite good. They are firmly on the same level as high-end wireless headphones from brands that have been in this game for years.
The Ace favor balance and overall fidelity over booming bass, so they are not as punchy as Sony’s 1000XM5. But the wide soundstage brings a lot of life and spaciousness to complex tracks.
They are also powerful in rock, providing a great punch. Sonos has focused on detail, separation, crisp highs, and crystal-clear vocals. As I mentioned before, I am very particular and demanding when it comes to audio quality and I am very satisfied with the audio signature of the Ace. You can adjust the treble and bass equalizer in the Sonos app, and the headphones have the same “loudness” function as Sonos speakers, which can enhance treble and bass at reduced volume levels.
The company has promised a “first-class” quality with Ace’s active noise cancellation and transparency modes, and it has delivered. But it’s not ANC. Let me explain, the Ace offers more than adequate noise cancellation power. But Bose doesn’t have to worry about losing its crown. Both Bose and Sony are still better at silencing the outside world.
Where Sonos has hit the mark is with its aware mode, which channels the environment with surprisingly natural quality. It’s the closest any other company, apart from Apple, has come to that “it feels like you’re not wearing headphones” sensation.
The Ace are wonderfully comfortable, sound great, and hold up well in terms of ANC. Their only downside is that Android phone owners can’t enjoy their most exclusive feature, and everyone will need Sonos’ most expensive soundbar (the Sonos Arc) to experience TV Audio Swap at an unspecified time in the future. Once they fix this issue, they will be almost unbeatable.